Battle-Retrospect, and Other Poems/Bruges. New Year's

by Amos Niven Wilder

BRUGES. NEW YEAR'S.

Above the shadowed centuries, the chimes!
The carillons above the wretched years,
Patiently, like the music of the spheres,
Outwearing strife, evoking gentler times.

The carillons above the wretched years,
Above the squalid roofs, the unearthly choir,
The choral hours showering high desire
On men's dull hearts, dark vision, and deaf ears.

Above the squalid roofs, the unearthly choir,
Above the world-old torpor of earth's sons,
Drowning the old, old clamour of the guns,
The choral hours sowing divine fire.

Above the world-old torpor of earth's sons,
Above the shadowed centuries, the chimes!
Outwearing strife, evoking gentler times,
Foretelling rapture to God's little ones.